John Eustace would love to keep Sammie Szmodics at Blackburn
John Eustace hailed Sammie Szmodics after starring in Blackburn’s Carabao Cup first round 6-1 thrashing of Stockport – but is unsure of the striker’s long-term Rovers future.
Szmodics’ double, Andreas Weimann’s strike and Yuki Ohashi’s header put Rovers 4-0 up by half-time before Makhtar Gueye and Jack Vale netted afterwards, as Nathan Mapengu scored County’s consolation.
Speculation surrounds Szmodics’ future and Blackburn boss Eustace was uncertain if the Ireland international will stay at Rovers beyond the end of August.
He said: “I don’t know. It’s not down to me, but of course I want him to stay. He’s been a fantastic player since I’ve been here at the football club.
“I thought we started the game really well. I know Stockport had made a lot of changes, but we made six changes from the weekend as well so it was important that we gave vital minutes to the players who need it. I thought we set the tone from the start.”
Sammie Szmodics scored twice as Blackburn booked their Carabao Cup second-round place with a comprehensive 6-1 victory over Stockport.
The Republic of Ireland international’s double, Andreas Weimann’s strike and Yuki Ohashi’s header put Championship side Rovers in control as Makhtar Gueye and Jack Vale netted after half-time, while youngster Nathan Mapengu netted a consolation for League One County.
After County goalkeeper Ben Hinchliffe denied Ohashi twice early on, Szmodics began the scoring inside eight minutes with a well-placed finish inside the box.Blackburn doubled their lead after 20 minutes when Weimann drove into the area to slot home.
Szmodics’ second came from a fine half-volley into the bottom corner in the 25th minute, before Ohashi’s header from John Buckley’s cross secured Blackburn’s fourth.
Stockport’s first attempt came before half-time through Lee Williams’ deflected header, with Hinchliffe later diverting Arnor Sigurdsson’s effort behind.After the break Szmodics could have completed his hat-trick but fired just wide.
County grabbed one back through Mapengu’s low 67th-minute finish, before Hinchliffe’s fingertip save denied Gueye but from the following corner could not stop the Rovers substitute’s header.
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